In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that kids could begin learning CPR from the age of 12; this has since been modified to four years of age to line up with the age many countries start compulsory education. It’s believed that children are receptive to, and capable of, receiving basic lifesaving (BLS) training. The reasoning for starting to teach BLS this early and continuing on an annual basis throughout a child’s time in formal education, is that doing so will generate members of society who are capable and willing to respond when an emergency arises. The Emergency First Response CPR & AED course can be a cost-effective way of teaching children, as it’s low cost with no associated Course Completion Authorizations (CCA) – all the required processing and recognition materials are provided with the participant manual or eLearning product. 

Some Considerations

When training children, consider enhancing their learning and create a fun environment, perhaps with an element of healthy competition. Ideas on how to do this can be found in the article, “Why You Should Consider Gamifying CPR Instruction.” 

Children have cited the same barriers to performing BLS, such as fear of making mistakes and encountering bodily fluids, so these need to be addressed during training while stating the benefits of timely intervention. 

For further information from your region, check out these articles.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

From the European Resuscitation Council: Kids Save Lives: Training Schoolchildren to Give Basic Life Support for Cardiac Arrest Can Save Lives, Major Review Finds

North America

From the American Heart Association: KIDS SAVE LIVES: Basic Life Support Education for Schoolchildren: A Narrative Review and Scientific Statement From the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation | Circulation (ahajournals.org)

Asia Pacific

From the Australian Resuscitation Council: Kids Save Lives – Australian Resuscitation Council

From the New Zealand Resuscitation Council: Kids Save Lives (resus.org.nz)

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Emergency First Response, aed, cpr, EFR, first aidPADI Pros